From left, Ophelia, by Angela Chalmers and Beauty Permits Collapse, by Bren Head

Yorkshire-based artists, Angela Chalmers and Bren Head, will join forces to present an exhibition of expressive work exploring the figure and the face, at Pocklington Arts Centre, in September.

The pair met at university in Scarborough five years ago and realised they shared similar interests in art, although their methods of work are very different.

Angela said: 'I originally had a solo exhibition planned, but then I thought it would be a good idea to combine our work.

'Our pieces and portraits blend nicely together, exploring the body and the face. We often chat about our ideas and concepts and we knew it would go well together in a joint show.'

Much of Angela's work is executed in ink on hand-made Indian rag paper, made from 100 per cent cotton rag, but she also incorporates oils and wax with gold leaf to produce a tactile, lustrous surface. Her studies of the human form demonstrate a sensitive technique, which she describes as a mix of representation and abstraction.

Bren uses oils to create often distorted portraits, which reveal there is more to a portrait than resemblance. She uses scratched, torn, scraped and even burnt surfaces to create emotional and atmospheric images.

Angela said: 'We want people to enjoy our work and hope they will engage with it and understand what we are trying to express.

'They are not a series of pretty pictures, it's more about imagination and allowing the images to take you to a different realm. We hope people will take the time to ponder over them and explore their meaning.'

Work will be on sale during the exhibition, which runs from September 16 to October 31, and both artists will be available to discuss their work at an evening preview on Friday, September 19, from 6.30pm-8.30pm.

The Angela Chalmers and Bren Head exhibition will take place at the Pocklington Arts Centre, Market Place, Pocklington, from Tuesday, September 16-Friday, October 31. Admission is free. Call (01759) 301547.